Two local photographers have taken top honors in the People’s Choice category during the second annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll held on Saturday, Jan. 13.

Stephen Davies and Jared Goodwin were recognized for their outstanding work, taking home a $300 gift certificate from Akamai Art Supply and a $100 certificate from Cunningham Gallery and Picture Framing, respectively.

Davies’ work was his first contest entry, and marked a return to photography after a 30 year absence. His winning photo on canvas, “Queen’s Bridge IV,” now hangs at the Banyan Gallery. It was previously featured in the “Beauty of Lili‘uokalani Gardens” art exhibit at the Castle Hilo Hawaiian.

“My first camera was a Nikon F,” Davies said. “I worked with Michael Janis in Honolulu doing commercial fashion photography in the 1970s.”

After a career in the mental health field, Davies moved to Hawai‘i Island in 1998.

“I shoot with micro four-thirds cameras made by Olympus and Panasonic. Most of my work is colorful close-up abstract nature shots. I have a love for Lili‘uokalani Gardens and kept returning to this bridge,” he added.

Jared Goodwin’s “Path of Reflections” also won People’s Choice in the photography category. The image is featured on the cover of the 2018 Friends of Lili‘uokalani Gardens calendar, which includes photos entered by competition and judged by professional photographer Charles Wood. The same image was recognized by art judge Darrell Orwig for first honorable mention in the art competition. Goodwin’s work is on display at Banyan Gallery.

The Banyan Drive Art Stroll on Saturday, January 14, runs from noon until 6 p.m. Art exhibits are open at the Grand Naniloa Hotel, Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, and Banyan Gallery. People’s Choice ballots may be cast at the Grand Naniloa until 6 p.m.

From noon until 3 p.m. painters will be in Lili`uokalani Gardens. In addition to en plein air, the following schedule of demonstrations will happen in the square roof pavilion near the red bridge: 12 noon Valentina Montoya, 12:45 p.m. William Wingert, 1:30 p.m. Peter Heineman, and at 2:15 p.m. F Scott Cahill

Noon to 1 p.m. Christy Lassiter Trio (Christy Lassiter, J.J. Ahuna, and Kyle Kaaa) plus hula will perform at Grand Naniloa. Copies of the CD “Le`ale`a” will be available for purchase.

3-4 p.m. Puna Taiko will play outside Banyan Gallery, pupu will be served.

4:00 p.m. Ken Charon drawing demo at Grand Naniloa.

4-5 p.m. Desmon Haumea and Bambu will play at Hilo Hawaiian, pupu will be served. Copies of the CD “Des and BAMBU – Maui Style will be available for purchase.”

5-6 p.m. Desmon Haumea and Bambu will play at Grand Naniloa, pupu will be served. Copies of the CD “Des and BAMBU – Maui Style will be available for purchase.”

The Banyan Drive Art Stroll is the first in a series of events to celebrate the centennial of Lili`uokalani Gardens. For further information, see the Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens page on Facebook or contact K.T. Cannon-Eger by email kteger@hawaii.rr.com or cell phone (808) 895-8130.

Valentina Montoya’s art work was selected for Juror’s First Choice by art competition judge Dick Nelson of Kula Maui. The watercolor, pen and ink, image will appear in the Banyan Drive Art Stroll on Saturday, January 14, from noon until 6 p.m.

Original art by Valentina Montoya

Montoya is a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz with a BA degree in visual Arts. She moved to Hawaii Island in August 2016 and, “I was struck by the beauty of Lili`uokalani Gardens. When I moved here, I connected with the art community through the UH-Hilo art club page on Facebook. I learned of the Banyan Drive Art Stroll competition through that connection.”

All art work that met the criteria of the theme “Celebrating Lili`uokalani: the Queen and her Legacy” will be on display at the Palm Room in the Grand Naniloa Hotel, lobby level, and will be available for voting for People’s Choice awards on Saturday.

Of Montoya’s art work “Queen Lili`uokalani and her Gardens,” Nelson said the artist depicted “a regal queen in a setting of unabashed color fitting for any garden celebration and created with aesthetic competence.”

Other exhibits will be in the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and Banyan Gallery. Demonstrations of painting will be in Lili`uokalani Gardens from noon until 3 p.m. Gyotaku demonstration with Brandon Tengan will take place at Suisan from 3 to 4 p.m.

The Banyan Drive Art Stroll is the first 2017 event in a series to celebrate the centennial of Lili`uokalani Gardens. The land was dedicated in honor of the Queen in early 1917 and construction on the Japanese-style landscape began in the fall of 1917.

For further information, see the Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens Facebook page.